LOS ANGELES — There may be no "i" in team, but in Hollywood, there are integers.

Studios are finding big returns on their investments in on-screen all-star rosters. From superheroes to video games, audiences are flocking to films boasting multiple icons.

The latest entry: Rise of the Guardians, an animated film that opens Wednesday and tells the back stories of, among other childhood heroes, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

Based on a series of books by William Joyce, Guardians paints a world where the beloved totems of childhood faith are threatened by real-world fear and skepticism.

"It's the ultimate what-if," says Guardians director Peter Ramsey, who is making his major directorial debut. "What if the Easter Bunny and Santa were friends? I think that's what's so fun about getting multiple heroes in one movie. Asking yourself 'what if these icons were to hang out one day?' "

The biggest all-star team in cinematic history emerged this summer in The Avengers, a superhero squadron that included The Hulk, Thor and Iron Man and scored $623 million at the box office, the third-highest haul on record.

Earlier this month, Wreck-It Ralph made its debut to $49 million with a story boasting legendary video games of the '80s. That film has made $124 million and has Disney considering a franchise.

You can't just throw icons in front of a camera and expect chemistry. Ramsey says it's easier to coach a team of legends by giving them a playbook. In Guardians' case, the goal was simple: modernize.

Ramsey says he wanted to give his mythological characters a relatable twist for kids, which is why the Easter Bunny studies tai chi and Santa has ink: On one forearm is a tattoo that says "Naughty," on the other is "Nice."

Ramsey says the all-star trend "will play itself out if there's no compelling reason to get together, but right now, I think there have been compelling reasons. It's like the world's best buffet."

Paul Dergarabedian of Hollywood.com says the marquee lineup strategy has moved from horror to other genres.

"This is a time-honored tradition," he says. "We're just more used to seeing Freddy fight Jason, or Dracula fighting Frankenstein." The downside, he says: "You don't want your movies about individual heroes to start paling" in comparison to dream teams.

Katey Rich, executive editor of Cinemablend.com, says the approach is a canny move to lure young moviegoers "who have already seen a ton of Santa movies. Kids love this. It's why they put their Barbies in with the G.I. Joes."

The Guardians claim Jack Frost (Chris Pine) as a member...despite his objections.